AMERICA/NICARAGUA - Ortega still President, but abstention is 78%

Monday, 7 November 2016 elections   bishops   democracy   human rights  

Managua (Agenzia Fides) - The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Managua, His Exc. Mgr. Silvio Baez, last night said that citizens deserve "authorities elected in another way, in a way that truly represents the popular feeling, where no Nicaraguan is excluded", that is why abstention was so high in the general elections held on Sunday 6 November.
Speaking to reporters, the Bishop stated: "I did not go and vote, not for abstention, but for responsibility and love for Nicaragua".
The Bishop, attentive and critical observer of the political reality, recalled the current situation of Nicaragua, that arrived at the general election with a much criticized candidacy of outgoing President, Daniel Ortega. Although there are still no official results, Ortega was able to obtain his fourth term, the third consecutive, and on this occasion with his wife, Rosario Murillo, as vice president.
Criticisms are mainly based on the lack of electoral observers and legal elimination of the main opposition group, which gave Ortega the green light for his second consecutive reelection, already in 2010. According to agency data, Ortega won the elections yesterday but with an abstention of about 78%. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 07/11/2016)


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